Closing structure



Dec. 5, 1939. w. KURTH QLOSING STRUCTURE Filed April 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 llllHl IHH W llll illllll l 1 I III! II 9 mu II n I I IA/III Ill IIJ

HIIIIII'III III/I I l p mum/r1111! I Dec. 5, 1939.

KURTH 2,182,051

CLOSING STRUCTURE Filed April 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 umlmm r 1% Dec. 5, 1

CLOSING STRUCTURE Filed Apri 5 1934 3 Sheet et 5 Patented Dec. 5, 1939 PATENT OFFICE CLOSING STRUCTURE Walter Kurth, Grantwood, N. J.

Application April 5, 1934, Serial No. 719,202 In Germany April 8, 1933 11 Claims.

My invention relates to structures for the variation of the free sectional area of openings and the clearance space between an opening-forming wall and an inserted member. My invention relates to structures having a peripheral part associable with an opening-forming wall, such as, sealing means, closures, plugs, pistons, circular and tubular insertions for any kind of openings. These structures having means for the variation of the clearance space or are yielding; they have the peripheral part radially or transversely expanded when being subjected to pressure in the direction of the opening and when being moved into an opening smaller than the peripheral part in its released condition are compressed radially so that the opening-forming wall is exerting a pressure reaction on this part.

Numerous suggestions have been made to provide such an above-mentioned structure with a peripheral part having the form-maintaining capability as a solid of deformation-resisting material and the formativeness as a solid of deformable material; however, to date no means has been found to provide such a part which will satis- 25,factorily withstand pressures without excessive distortions 50 as to be accepted as practical.

In order to carry out the requirements for the abovementioned object, it is, therefore, an object to provide such a structure comprising a yielding composite unit having in combination a body, such as a sealing member, an elastic or unelastic stretchable and compressible material, and an elastic or unelastic arming of a material which is comparatively undeformable with respect to the material of the body and being so formed and so associated with the deformable body that both arming and body are capable of developing thesame expansion and/ or contraction in peripheral direction when evenly compressed axially or radially.

It is an important object of the invention to devise a structure having such an arming which is capable of forcing the body all around in radial direction against the cylindrical face of an opening-forming wall with a pressure which is of the same potency or even substantially higher than the pressure exerted in axial direction on the arming.

The-constituents of the unit may be separably 50 united as desired or required so that the arming upon having served its purpose may be separted from the structure without any harmful effect on the body.

It is a further object to teach the assembly of 55 the arming and the body in such a manner that uniform displacement of the body practically at the entire periphery of the same and over any desired axial length with the arming is accomplished.

To this end, I provide a structure in considera- 5 tion of the material properties of a circular flexible body, and with this body I adapt for combination a circular flexible arming wave-shaped in the direction of its axis in peripheral direction; the wave-shaped arming and the body according to 10 my invention are so adapted for coaction that when thrust is exerted on the ends of the arming the flattened arming will cause elongation of the body in peripheral direction and radial outward expansion of the same, and when the body is 15 pressed into an opening smaller than its perimeter the compressed body will cause radial inward shrinkage of the arming and peripheral contraction of the same.

It will be understood that the capability of the 20 arming-to outwardly expand the body when under axial pressure-may be provided by the quality of the material of the arming or through the quantity or amount of the material used in overcoming the resistance of the body against 25 outward movement; for instance, a body of medium steel is not only expanded by means of a compressed arming of a less deformable material than the body but also by means of an arming having a larger cross-sectional material area than 30 the body and being of the same material as the body; I am, therefore, not limited as to specific materials for the arming with respect to the body.

Other objects and features of my invention will appear from the following specification and from $5 the accompanying drawings in which various structures embodying my invention are illustrated more or less diagrammatically by way of example.

In the drawings The following Figures 1 to 22 are illustrating 4o packings;

Figs. 1 to 9 illustrate armings oi the heavy type and arrangements of same with a circular body, a packing or sealing member;

Figs. 10a and 10b are diagrams illustrating various arrangements of a wave-shaped belt for the formation of an arming of the heavy and flat yp Figs. 11 to 22 illustrate armings of the flat type and arrangements of same with a packing, and parts of the packing;

More particularly Fig. 1 is an axial section of a closing structure having a sealing member and a corrugated waveshaped belt arranged between compressing members of a pressure exerter,

Fig. 2 is a fractional plan view of the sealing member showing inserted members including the belt,

Fig, 3 is a perspective illustration of the corrugated belt,

Fig. 4 is an axial section of a packing which is equipped with a zig-zag belt.

Fig. 5 is an axial section of a packing with two axially aligned corrugated belts,

Fig. 6 is an axial section of a packing with a wave-shaped arming consisting of corrugated belts obtained by the wave-shaped formation of slots in the wall of a cylinder,

Fig. 7 is an axial section oi. a packing with three axially aligned corrugated belts made up from one ring, Fig. 8 is partly a section, and partly an elevation, of a packing whose arming consists of tworows of inclined elements arranged alongside each other,

Fig. 9 shows-a portion of the arming in detail, Figs. 10a to 1011 are diagrams illustrating various arrangements of .the inclined elements according to Figs. 8 and 9, Fig. 11 is an axial section of a closing structure having a sealing member and a flat type arming,

' formed from one belt, arranged between compressing members of a pressure exerter,

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a portion of the belt,

Figs.13 and 14 illustrate portions of beltswith the ends'of the inclined elements or links connected by. welding and by pivots, respectively,

' Fig. 15 is partly an elevation View, and partly a section, of a packing with an arming formed by two perforated sleeves,

Fig. 16 is an axial section of a closing structure having a c-shaped sealing member surrounding an empty central space, and an arming in engage ment with the inner side of the c-shaped member,

Fig. 17 is an axial section similar to that shown in Fig. 16, with a sealing or packing member at opposite sides of the arming, and

Figs. 18 to 22 illustrate various packings with anchoring members and channels for holding the arming and the sealing or packing members in united relation.

Figs. 23 and 24 illustrate an axial section of a closing structure in which the arming is formed by one wave-shaped belt, of considerable radial width, 1. e., of a heavy type, which is in engagement with a circular body; Fig. 23 is a showing of the arming in the uncompressed state, Fig. 24 in the compressed state; Fig. 25 is a plan transversely to the axis of the structure showing the symmetrical other half part of the structure broken off:

Figs. 26, 27 and 28 illustrate a closing structure in which the arming is formed by one substantially flat belt which is in contact with a body of,

cylindrical form; Fig. 26 is an axial view showing the uncompressed arming in full lines and thecompressed arming in dotted lines; Figs. 27 and 28 are axial sections, Fig. 27 is showing the arming under axial pressure, Fig. 28 in uncompressed condition.

Referring specifically to the drawings and first to Figs. 23 and 24. These illustrate a structure by which the free sectional area between a body 8 and an opening-forming wall is varied and closed. A wave-shaped arming H is in all around peripheral contact with the inner continuous face tions, Fig. 24. At the same time, the arming is deformed in radial direction, as its diameter is enlarged by the flattening out, and, therefore, the arming ll forces the body 8 against the well i at the entire perimeter in radial direction. The arming or wave-shaped belt ll according to the invention is so devised that the arming is capable of deforming a body of medium steel in radial direction. The arming H may be made of a material less deformable than the material of the body 8 and the inclined portions or elements of the belt II are of such cross-sectional depth z--z and radial width with respect to their length and with respect to the circumference of the arming or belt that the arming is flattened in peripheral direction or spread out under thrust and radially enlarged at its wave-crests and wave-troughs and at intermediate points and is outwardly and in peripheral direction expanding the body 8 throughout the zone of contact of the body 8 and arming H; by giving the belt II a substantial radial width all the ends of the belt at top and bottom are spread out, the distance of the ends Fig. 26 shows a sectional fractional view of a similar structure to that m Fig. 23. An openingforming wall 0 and a body 8, compressing flanges 2 and l and a wave-shaped arming H0 within the wall I, are illustrated. The distinction isthat the belt H8 representing the arming is substantially thin or flat in radial direction. The elements extending from end to end of the arming are arranged on a cylinder which is co-axial with the sealing face'on the opening-forming 0 wall i. The arming lie when subjected to pressure exerted in a direction parallel to its axis by the flanges 7 and 2 is also flattened and radially A enlarged and forces the body 8 in radial direc tion against a sealing face on the wall A as the heavy type arming. The elements of the arming Ho, however, are of such substantial cross-sectional depth e-z and such cross-sectional radial width with respect to their length that the arming H8 is bulged toward the cylindrical face on the wall I and flattened thereby and expands the body 8 throughout the zone of contact of the body 8 and the arming llll when the ends of the arming are subjected to pressure by the flanges 2 and l. The ends at the top and bottom of. the substantially fiat belt Ill) will normally remain in their position on the flanges 2 and 7 when the arming is subjected to pressure; the inclined elements are brought into a less inclined position or flattened from Dto D, E to E, F to F and G to G and with their central portions radially enlarged to the maximum outwardly and in peripheral direction expand the endless annular body 8 throughout the zone of contact of the.

body and arming, I

The structures under pressure, illustrated in Figs. 24, 26 and 2'7, are'shown unusually bent to show'the function of the arming for the sake of plified in packings.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, these illustrate a closure having'a packing by which an opening in the wall I is closed. The disk 2 is integral with a rod 3 which has an extension 4 beyond the disk 2. Mounted on the free end of the extension 4 is a threaded pin 5 with a nut 8. I A gland 1 is placed on the extension 4 and with its inner end penetratesinto the space between the extension 4 and the wall I, where it bears on a sealing or packing member 8. The packing member 8 has a channel section, is flexible, circular and in coherence all around. Rings 8 and Ill, of steel or other suitable material, are inserted in the flanges of the'packing'member 8, and the flanges have an inwardly projecting extension beaded over aportlon of the corresponding rings 8, Ill. The belt H which is corrugated, of the heavy type and of a material which is less deformable than the material of the packing member, as illustrated in Figs. -1 and 2, is inserted between the rings 9 and I0, and its bends are in frictional contact with the inner radially extending ring faces.

Means such as teeth l2, Fig. 2, may be provided for anchoring the rings 9, It in the packing member, if it is desired to support the rings more efiectively than by the beaded-over inner ends of the flanges.

When the nut 8 is set, the gland I exerts thrust on the packing member 8. The thrust is transmitted to the ring 8 which uniformly distributes it to the corrugations of the belt ll. Ring l0 performs'the same function as ring 9. The rings 9 and I0, serving as thrust-distributers, protect the packing member 8 from the direct influence of the arming II which is free to slide radially on the bearing faces of the rings 8 and i0 when subjected to thrust. The thrust flattens out the corrugations of the belt H and a radial component results from such flattening-out and acts on the perimeter of the packing member 8 from within, so thatv the packing member seals not only at both. ends but also at the perimeter. When the pressure on the gland I is relieved and the belt is of elastic material, the reaction of spring II causes the parts of the packing to re-assume their initial positions,

, Thepacking member,8 under the reaction of the belt I I seals at the ends and at the perimeter. The sealing pressures at the three points are de termined by suitably forming the belt H. The belt ll may be so formedthat the pressures at the ends and at the perimeter of the packing are equal, or any-other definite relation of the pressures may be established; this is accomplished by providing a belt of-a suitable wave-height to wavelength ratio.

Referring now to Fig. 4, this packing is similar to the one just described, but its belt H is of the zig-zag type. Another distinction is that the outer faces of the rings 9 and in are grooved in order to give the rings a better hold on the flanges, and a third distinction is that the inwardly pro jecting extensions of the flanges are cut flush with the inner radial faces of the rings 8 and I8.

Referring to Fig. 5, in this closing structure are two corrugated belts instead of a single belt ii and a distributing ring l5, which is inserted between the two belts, so that it is not necessary that the corrugations register quite exactly. The bends of the belts bear on the lower faces of the rings 9 and Ill, and on the distributing ring it.

Referring to Fig. 6, in this closing structure is the arming I8 a cylindrical ring which is provided with wave-shaped perforations.

the combination of several individual belts H, Figs. 1 to 4. The wall thickness of the cylinder is large and the rhombic holes may be made with an oxy-hydrogen burner. The slots or perforations are so arranged that the cylindrical ring constitutes wave-shaped belts positioned wavecrest above wave-trough and wave-trough above wave-crest. Obviously, the wave-shaped periorations are easier producibie in parallel arrangement above sach other. When thrust. is exerted on the belts or arming IS the diameter of all the belts is enlarged uniformly, i. e., the arming becomes a cylinder of large diameter, so that the body or sealing member 8 is, thereby, under even outward expansion over the height of the cylinder.

Fig. '7 illustrates a structure having an arming combined of three belts l1, l8 and I9. Obviously, this arming may be made by a perforated ring. The three belts are piled up and spaced apart by the portions 20 so that their intermediate portions are not in frictional contact with each other; this facilitates outward movement. The portions serve for transmitting pressure from and to the rings 9 and II). It is not necessary that the belts are separated by hearing faces on the portions 20, these portions may provide a connection of all the belts so that the arming in this structure is an integral piece. The parallel arranged wave-shaped belts enabling a substantially small waste of material which is substantially less than is possible with an arming as shown in Fig. 6. Furthermore, the arming of Fig. '7 provides a substantially large peripheral surface contact area between arming and body 8 which area is substantially larger than is possible with belts having the same wave-height and being arranged wave-crest above wave-trough and wave-trough above wave-crest.

A closing structure having a wave-shaped arming which consists of two individual rows of inclined elements in co-axial relation is shown in Figs. 8 to 10b. The two individual rows of elements are housed together in the sealing member 8 whose flange-extensions 2| and 22 are so long that they completely conceal and encase the arming. The 'co-directed elements 23 are staggered radially with respect to the elements 2% of the opposite direction. The co-directed ele ments constituting one row and the elements of the opposite direction the other row. Every element or spring bar 23 1s equipped with a block 24 at its upper, and a block 25 at its lowerend. The elements 28 having corresponding blocks 2? and 28. The blocks of the elements of the outside row are connected with the corresponding blocks of the inside row. Fig. 9 shows the connection of the blocks by welds 29 and 30. The operation of this arming under thrust is the same as de= In this. manner an arming is obtained which is equal to.

scribed with reference to previous figures. bars 23 and 26 move radially and slide on the rings 9 and "1.. It will appear that the bars make up together a zig-zag-shaped belt, but might also be corrugated. The pitch of the' blocks is comparatively large, and therefore other blocks and bars are inserted in the space between two blocks, Fig.9, in order to obtain a large springarea and axis and the pressure is released the arming will I each belt fits between the bars of the other.

produce inward contraction of the flange-extensions 2| and 22 throughout the zone of contact of the flange-extensions and the arming so that a seal is produceable between the flange-extensions and a convex cylindrical face.

Referring to the diagrams Figs. 10a and 10b.

Fig. 10a shows that an armingwith bars in close juxtaposition is obtained for a length which is equal to twice the perimeter by starting with a zig-zag or corrugated belt ,from a given point, winding the belt twice about its own perimeter and returning to the starting point.

A single belt may obviously also be obtained by more close arrangement of the bars in analogous manner so that the perimeter of all the windings forming the belt may be equal to three or more times the perimeter of the packing. This arrangement may be termed arrangement in series. The arming does not becomethicker in radial-direction but it becomes more close, the thickness is constant. Obviously, however the bars may be placed on each other, so that the radial thickness may be equal to four times the thickness ofa single bar.

An arrangement which may be termed parallel is shown in Fig. 10b. The arming in the arrangement illustrated is formed by two independently operating belts. The individual belts are 50 located with respect to each other that A plurality of parallel arranged belts can form the arming in Fig.8. In both Figs. 10a and 10b, the bars havirm co-directed inclination with respect to the center of the arming are indicated by double lines.

In the closing structures illustrated in Figs. 1

to 8, the wave-shaped belt moves radially on the rings 9 and II]. If the closing structure, the packing, when not under thrust, is elliptical in plan and placed within a cylindrical wall the thrust on the arming deforms the sealing member into a circular form by pressing the same against the inner side of the cylindrical wall all over its perimeter. Conversely, if the packing is circular and placed into an elliptical stumng box the arming will adapt itself to the elliptical stuffing box. The belt is deformed resiliently only until it has forced the sealing member against the sealing face in radial direction and all over the perimeter and is rigidly held by the thrustexerting members. v

If desired, the belt may be connected to the rings 9 and In by welding or in any other suitable manner but in this case the rings must be subdivided into sections intermediate the welds, or they must be so resilient as to yield radially with the belt. The belt may even be integral with the rings, provided the condition of radial resiliency is fulfilled.

The

Referring toFig. 11, the packing illustrated may be 'part of a closure for an openingin a wall I, as in Figs. 1 to 4, or it may be a packing 'for a piston'whose. rod is'3. The ends of the packing are curved in accordance with their seats 2 and 99 which provide an abutment for the ends of the arming toprevent them from moving inward when the arming is pressing the sealing member against the wall I. The sealing or packing member'is subdivided into two members or layers 32 and 33. The outside. layer is supported by the flange I of the disk 2. The arming, the flat or link belt, is formed-from hoop iron or steel and comprises a row of outer links 34, and of inner links 35. The belt is produced by kinks or bends at the ends 36 and 31, is arched toward the sealing face on wall I and has the links inclined in opposite directions in therespective rows.

Instead of links formed from a single strip by kinking at the ends 36 and 31, I may provide individual links 340 and 350, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, and connect the links pivotally by rivets or the like 3'. at the upper and lower ends of the belt. I

The arrangements of the links is either in series or "parallel? corresponding to the diagrams Fig. a. or 101). The elements or links have to be of sufficiently large cross-sectional depth and suiiiciently small cross-sectional radial width and of sufficient cross-sectional area with respect to their length and-when not firmly seated at the endsof sufiicient cross-sectional area with respect to the circumference of the arming to enable the arming to be bulged toward the sealing face-and to expand the sealing member throughout the zone of contact of the sealing member and arming. Q

A packing with a different arming is shown in Fig. 15, two sleeves 40 and 4| with inclined slots forming a zig-zag shaped arming. The sleeves 40 and 4| have the two rows of elements corresponding in arrangement to the arming in Fig. 8. Welds 38 and 39 connect together the ends of the sleeves which constitute two rings preventing the ends of the inclined elements 34 and 35 from inward movement when their middle parts are forcing the packing member 32 against a sealing face by thrust on the sleeve ends.

The packing has been made a compact unit by teeth l2, Fig. 1. 'Similarly, the fiat belt may be anchored to the sealing member or members, and such means are illustrated in Figs. 16 to 22.

Fig. 16 shows a packing having the section of a horse shoe and no packing member at the inner side. The belt, including two rows of links 40 and 4|, has also the section of a horse shoe. The ends of the belt or arming are flanged at 42 and 43 where they bear on the extension 4 of the rod 3. The flanges are connected by welding or in any other suitable manner. Teeth 44 and 45 are provided on the links of the outer row 40 which penetrate into the sealing member 32 and anchor the belt therein. The ends of the sealing member 32 are supported by the seats 2 and 99.

A packing having an inner layer of packing material 33 is inserted in the arming with the rows of elements 40 and 4|, Fig. 17. A pair of rings 46 and 41 are provided at the upper and lower ends ofthe arming. The rings 46 and 41- are welded or otherwise secured to the .ends of the arming. The rings are equipped with teeth or hooks 48 on their outer, and 49 on their inner and in the outer layer oi. the sealing or packing member.

The anchoring means may also be placed on the outer edges of a packing with an outer layer 32, an inner layer 33, and an arming 40, ll between the two layers. As illustrated in Fig. 18, members 50 and.5l are placed on the upper and lower ends of the packing members, welded, or otherwise secured, to the upper and lower ends of the arming at 52 and 53. The arming All, ll is shown straight, but obviously it might be curved. I

Referring to Fig. 19, the belt of this packing is arched and sandwiched between "outer layer 32 and inner layer 33. The members 99 and 2 are flanged for retaining the packing. The channel sections 50 and 5! have longitudinal folds 55 for the reception of the upper and lower ends of the arming, and the'ends may be in frictional contact with the ,folds or secured thereto. The flanges of the channel sections have short hooks 51, Fig. 20, which are embedded in the inner and outer layers.

Referring to Figs. 21 and 22, the channel sections 50 and SI may be so narrow that their flanges engage the sides of the belt 40, ii on whose edges the sections are placed, and the flanges of the sections are provided with outwardly projecting teeth or ribs 58ior anchoring themin the respective layers 32 and 33.

Anchoring means having no interferencewith the radial movement or operability of the heavy type arming may be combined with the same for connection with the sealing or packing member or may be employed for uniting the parts of a packing.

The problem underlying my invention is solved by providing a closing structure having waveshaped belts. The belts may be of a heavy type or a flat or link type. The expression waveshaped" includes all kinds of belts in which belts or kinks alternate with intermediate portions.- Thus, the expression includes belts of corrugated or sinusoidal form in which the bends are curved to a comparatively large radius, and the intermediate portions also curved; as well as belts of 'zig-zag form in which the kinks are curved to "-a small radius, and the intermediate portions are straight. It also includes built-up belts in which linksextend from one end to the other end of the belt and are connected at the points which correspond to the bends or kinks of the corrugated or zig-zag form. Furthermore, the term waveshaped applies to belts which may have straight pieces or portions at their ends and inclined straight or curved elements which are in anticlinal formation and connecting these straight pieces or portions. Incase these straight pieces or portions at the ends of the belt are not large with respect to the size of the belt, the closing.

structure will 'also have an excellent coaction of its constituents in practical aspect, as the peripheral variation (elongation and contraction) of the remaining part of the belt will provide for proper coaction and co-directed movement of the constituents, the beltand the body, and have its progressive influence over the whole periphery of the closing structure.

An all around seal is also effected by the linktype belts illustrated in Figs. 11 to 22,-b the particular arrangement of the links which are perimeter of the sealing member required, for sealing is small in the majority of cases-and the spaces between the links is very small with a great number of links per arming.

If an elastic arming is used, the uniform return of the closing structure .into its initial form is efiected, Figs. 1 to 8, by the .rings 9 and I0, and in the structures, Figs-l1, to;2 2, by the particular arrangement of the links, and/or anchoring means illustrated. One-objector the wave formation of the links is to effect elastic deflection with a corresponding radial pressure pngthe sealing member which yields-untilg sealing is effected. .r t r A closing structure according to'ymyilnvention produces an effective sealing pressure ,with- -an arming of comparatively small depth. jlllinks. arranged in'axial direction in-a structure not .designed in conformity with pry-invention would be stressed beyond theelastic limit inmost-cases 1 reduced and comparatively soft ,materials may be used for the body, forinstance, leather, rubber, compositions of comparativelysoft materials, while, on the other hand, harder and stronger materials, such as copper,gbronze,.-zalloys,steel, are not excluded.

My invention eliminates the-drawback of the old combination packingswhich is. due to the fact that the movements of the packing material are different from the movements of, the metal insertions. Thisdifiiculty isenhanced by the different modulus of elasticity of the packing ,material and the metalinsertions and inconsequence thereof, the peripheralmovernents of, thepack ing material are not in conformityv with those of the insertions. In my illustrated packings the sealing member-is protected axially and radially from the tearing forces. caused bythe metalin sertions of the old packings. y I My novel packing is so designedthat aworn packing member is readily and rapidly exchanged for a new one. The various armings or my closing structure are easy to manufacture and the initial cost is low in proportion.

A'structure according to my invention may be inserted in a groove of or attached, to a piston or other element like another sealing structure.- My closing structure, packing, 'may be inserted. in the compressed statein a groove in order toseal effectively axially and radially.

The body of mycldsingstructure in all around contact with the face of the opening-formingwali and with the peripheral face ofthe compressed arming becomes more compact when further pressed radiallyagainst the opening-forming wall paptly-pressed state has all its iointsclosed and is endless and extending all around the opening.

The compressed arming, in engagement with the compressed coherent or endless body; when further compressed is peripherally spread out in the same direction as the material of the body in u t. withv the-peripheral face of the ar 2s gether.

-' -'ing, as the body-betweenthe said facesis'radially flattened and thereby expanded; The engaging 5 with-the principle of my invention, as the con- 'stituents of the-closing structure, the body and thearming,-have been adapted'ior co-directed in axial direction and-spreadout in peripheral direction and to be radially enlarged at its wavemovement in peripheral direction.

'It is-to'be understood that my' invention is 1g not-limited to the closingv structures and details? which have been illustrated by way of example. Separation and combination of the various details- 1 come within the scope :of my invention, as "well as variations in the form of the parts illustrated; 5 "My'circula-r all around wave sh'aped arming may be adapted to be opened to be shifted transversely to a'piston into thepiston-gro'ov'e and to be closed inthe inserted position so that all the 'anticlina1- 'elements'of the arming are capable'of abutting each other in this position ior all around radial.

j enlargement of the arming for all around engagement with a sealing or closing member allaround'thewave-shaped face of the closed arming whenthe walls of the groove are drawn to- The-method of manufacture of my structure or its constituents is not-limited tothe methods illus-..

trated; for instancemne or both of the constituents of my 'ai ming maybe castfsuflicient enlargement J 3() of the-armingin radial direction'will be obtained byaca'st arming made from cast-steel, as my arming through its form'is capable of .being sufficiently expanded in peripheral direction.

It is 'cla'imedr t 35"; 1'. Joint closing structure comprisinga circular' flexible body associable with an axially extending 1 face, and a circular'flex'ible arming, said body being incoherence all around-the periphery of 'said'arming and in all around contact with'the o peripheral face of saidarming throughout the peripheral extent'of said arming, said arming being wave-shaped'in the direction of its axis fin peripheral direction all around a circle and forming thereby inclined elements-in anticlinal formation" and being capable of being flattened and radially enlarged thereby for outward expansionoi said body throughout the zone of con- "tact'of said body and' arming when said arming 'is subjected to pressure exerted in a direction I parallel to its axis.

2. Joint closing structure comprising an annular body'associable with an axially extending face, and an endless annular elastic-arming, said arming being wave-shaped in the-direction ofits 55 axis in peripheral direction all around acircle and forming thereby inclined elements in anticlinal formation and being'capable of being fiattened and radially enlarged'thereby when said arming is subjected to pressure exerted in a dicontracted by said arming throughout the zone of contact' of said body and arming when-'- the pressuree'xerted on said arming is released. j H 3., Joint closing structure'co'mprising a circular flexible body associable with an axially extending 7O face, and a circular flexible arming, said body being in coherence all around the periphery of said arming and in all around contact'witli the .peripheral facepf said arming throughout theperipheral extent of said arming, said arming- 75 being wave-shaped in the direction of its axis .in peripheral direction-all around a circle and forming thereby inclined elements in anticlinal formation, the elements of said-arming being of *sufiicint cross-sectional depth and sufficient cross-:sectionalradial width with respect to their 5 len th and with respect to the circumference of saidarming to enable said arming to be flattened crests and -.wa ve-troughs and at intermediate 10 points and to expand said body throughout the zone of contact of said body and said arming when said arming is subjected to pressure exerted in a direction parallel to its axis.

4. Joint closing structure comprising an annular body associable with an axially extended face, and an endless annular elastic arming, said arming being wave-shaped in-the direction of its axis in peripheral direction all around a circle and forming thereby inclined elements in anticlinal forma tion,-the elements 'of said arming being of suflicient cross-sectional depth and sufficient cross-sectional radial width with respect to their length and with respect to the circumference of .said arming to enable said arming to be flattenedin axialydirection and spread out in-peripheral direction and to be radially enlarged at its Wave-crests and wave-troughs and at intermediate points and to expand said body throughout the zone. of contact of said body and said arming when said arming is subjected to pressure exerted in a direction parallel to its axis, said body beingin' coherence all around and in all around contact withthe inner peripheral face of said arming; throughout the'peripheral extent of said arming, whereby said body is capable of being inwardly contracted by said arming at the contact points of said body with said wave-crestsand wave-troughs and intermediate points when the pressure exerted on said arming is released. 40

5. Joint closing structure comprising a circular flexible body associable with an axialiyextending face, and a circular flexible arming, said body being in coherence all around the periphery of -said arming and-in all around contact with the peripheral face of .said arming throughout the peripheral extent of said arming, said arming beingwave-shaped in the'direction of its axis in peripheral direction all around a circle and forming thereby inclined elements in anticlinal formation, the elements of said arming making'up two rows alongside each other, the co-directed elements-being staggered radially with respect to the elements of the opposite direction, the codirected elements constituting one row and the elements of the opposite direction forming the other row for enabling close arrangement of the elements of said arming for providing a substantially large and all around peripheral surface contact area between arming and body, the ends 0 of the elements of the outside row being con-. nected with thelcorresponding ends of the ele- :ments of-the-inside row, said arming being capa- -ble of being flattened and radially enlarged being in coherence all around the periphery of said arming and in all around contact with the peripheral face of said arming throughout the peripheral extent of said arming, said arming being wave-shaped in the direction-of its axis in peripheral direction all around "a circle andforrningthereby inclined elements in anticlinal formation, the elements of said arming making up two rows alongside each other, the co-directed elements being staggered radially withrespect to the elements of the opposite direction, the codirected elements constituting one row and the elements of the opposite direction forming the other row for enabling close arrangement, of the elements of said arming for providing a substantially large and all around peripheral surface contact area between arming and body, the ends of the elements of the outside row being connected with the corresponding ends of the elements of the inside row, the elements of said arm! ing being of sufficient cross-sectional depth and sufllcient cross-sectional radial width with respect to their length and with respect to the circumference of said arming to enable said arming to be flattened in axial direction and spread out in peripheral direction and to be radially enlarged at its wave-crests and wave-troughs and at intermediate points and to expand said body throughout the zone of contact of said body and said .arming when said arming is subjected to pressure exerted in a direction parallel to its axis. a

7. Joint closing structure comprising a ci'rcular flexible body associable with an axially extending face, and a circular flexible arming, said body being in coherence all around the periphery of said arming and in all around contact with the peripheral faceof said arming throughout the peripheral extent of said arming, a set of belts constituting said aiming, the individual belts being wave-shaped in the direction of their axis in peripheral direction all around a circle and forming thereby inclined elements in anticlinal formation and being piled up in co-axial align ment, said belts being positioned wave-trough above wave-trough and wave-crest above wavecrest for providing a substantially large peripheral surface contact area between arming and body, which area is substantially larger than is possible with belts having the same wave-height and being arranged wave-crest above wavetrough and wave-trough above wave-crest, the elements of said belts being of sufficient crosssectional depth and sufficient cross-sectional radial width with respect to their length and with respect to the circumference of said arming to enable said arming to be flattened in axial direction and spread out in peripheral direction and to be radially enlarged at the wave-crests and wave-troughs and at intermediate points and to expand said body throughout the zone of contact of said body and. said arming when said arming is subjected to pressure exerted in a direction parallel to its axis.

8. Joint closing structure comprising a circular flexible body associable with an axially extending face, and a circular flexible arming, said body being in coherence all around the periphery of said arming and in continuous contact with the peripheral face of said arming throughout the peripheral extent of said arming, a set of belts constituting said arming, the individual belts being wave-shaped in the direction of their axis in peripheral direction all around a circle and forming thereby inclined elements in anticlinal formation and being piled up in co-axial alignment, said belts being made up from one ring which is provided with parallel arranged waveshaped perforations for enabling a substantially small waste of material which is substantially less than is possible-with a perforated ring which is forming belts having the same wave-height and being arranged wave-crest" above wave-trough and wave-trough above wave-crest, the elements of said belts being of suflicient cross-sectional depth and sufficient cross-sectional radial width with respect to their length and with'respe'ct to the circumference of said arming to'enable said arming to be flattened in axial direction and spread out in peripheral direction and to be radially enlarged at the wave-crests and wavetroughs and at intermediate points and to expand said body throughout the zone of contact of said body and said arming when said arming is subjected to pressure exerted in a direction parallel to its axis.

9. Joint closing structure for producing peripheral contact between an endless circular flexible body and an axially extending face of an opening-forming wall, comprising a circular flexible arming, and means for compressing said arming by pressure exerted on its ends in a direction parallel to its axis, said arming being waveshaped in the direction of its axis in peripheral direction all around a circle and forming thereby inclined elements in anticlinal formation and having a contact face for all around engagement with the inner face of said body all around the periphery of said arming throughout the peripheral extent of said arming and being capable of being flattened and radially enlarged thereby for outward expansion of said body throughout the zone of contact of said body and arming when said compressing means is active.

10. Joint closing structureforproducingperipheral contact between an endless circular flexible body and an axially extending face of an opening-forming wall, comprising a circular flexible arming, two members being adapted to be drawn together for compressing said arming, and means for drawing said members together in a direction parallel to the axis of said arming, said'arming being wave-shaped in the direction of its axis in peripheral direction all around a circle and forming thereby inclined elements in anticlinal formation and having a contact face for all around engagement with the inner face of said body all around the periphery of said arm ing throughout the peripheral extent of said arming, the elements of said arming being of sufficient cross-sectional depth andsufficient cross-sectional radial width with respect to their length and with respect to the circumference of said arming to enable said arming to be flattened in axial direction and spread out in peripheral direction and radially enlarged at its wavecrests and wave-troughs and at intermediate points and to expand said body throughout the zone of contact of said body and arming when said drawing means is active.

11. Joint closing structure comprising a circular flexible body associable with an axially extending face, and a circular flexible arming, said body being in coherence all around the periphery of said arming and in all around contact with the peripheral face of said arming throughout the peripheral extent of said arming, said arming being wave-shaped in the direction of its axis in peripheral direction all around a circle and forming thereby inclined elements in anticlinal formation, the elements of said arming being of sufficient cross-sectional depth and sufficient cross-sectional radial width with respect to their. length and with respect to the circumference of s gid qrm-ing to enqble said arming to l e -flattened in axial direction .;ai1d-spread (nil: in perjhheral direction ancLto be' 'aglially; enlanged-a tfits wave- Y cr est5--a nd Wg.ye-t1jq1 1 ghs. and-at intermediate ;;P0 n nd t0 e pand said. bod h u h t.-

zone'pi contactof; saidbqdy end said a ming when said ,grnnng; is :subjecjaed to pressure exerted in @Va, direction parallel 150 its axis, a. circular thrustqistribnter being. a rgngeq on the wave-crests of WALTER KURTH. 

